The FHE Cup is an U/16 event which attracts strong teams both from Western Australia and overseas as well as the Bushrangers, an invitational squad which develops young athletes both on and off the hockey field.

Bathurst has a strong history of being represented in the Bushrangers side and this year was no different with a total of eight players picked in the Bushrangers’ two boys and three girls squads.

Souths talents Sarah Waterson, Kate Brown and Maddie Tattersall and All Saints’ player Erin Crobcroft were part of the girls team while St Pat’s had James Martin, Peter Cobcroft, Lachlan Menzies, and Riley Hanrahan in the boys.

While the girls teams competed against WA state teams as well as the Japanese under 16s national team, the boys teams really faced some tough opposition with U/16 national teams from Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore taking part as well as WA state age teams.

All the Bathurst players performed strongly with a highlight being a draw against tournament winners Japan for Brown and Watterson in the girls, and wins against Japan and Singapore for Martin, Cobcroft, and Hanrahan as well as a drawn game with eventual finalists Malaysia. Menzies’ team also drew with Singapore.

All the players were exposed to high level coaching which will enhance the excellent local coaching they receive through their club and district representative programs.

The players enjoyed the experience immensely and the experience of high standard, heavily physical hockey will be a great benefit to Bathurst teams in the future.